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First homestand highlights

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Press Release

PLAYER APPEARANCES

Saturday April 6 : The annual "Birds are Back" rally presented by Orioles Radio Network Affiliate WTTR Radio (1470AM) at the Town Mall in Westminster from 10:00 a.m to noon. Orioles pitcher MIGUEL GONZALEZ and Orioles Hall of Fame catcher CHRIS HOILES are expected to attend and sign autographs for fans.

Saturday, April 6: Under Armour Opening Weekend Rally (11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Under Armour Brand House, 700 S. President Street) - Appearances by Tommy Hunter and former Oriole Larry Sheets and giveaways, trivia, and a raffle with the Operation Orange Rally Crew.

SPECIAL CEREMONIES

SAFETY PATROL

Saturday, April 6: Safety Patrol - The Orioles have donated 10,000 tickets to safety patrol students and their families as part of Safety Patrol Appreciation Day, the 59 th year the club has supported this program.

Four AAA Mid-Atlantic School Safety Patrollers will be receiving the prestigious AAA National Lifesaving Award for their actions this past year. Only eight students nationwide were selected to receive this award for their acts of valor. Inmar Castillo-Hernandez, from Carlin Springs Elementary (Arlington, VA), pulled a child back onto the sidewalk just prior to her entering a lane where a bus was moving forward. Alanna Miller, from Rock Creek Forest Elementary (Chevy Chase, MD), prevented a child from entering the street in front of a speeding truck.Daceris Mendez, from Rock View Elementary, saved a student from the path of a moving car in the school's parent pick-up area. Hamilton Hunter, from Greenbriar East Elementary (Fairfax, VA), stepped several feet into the street to grab a child that darted into a heavily traveled intersection.

All four will represent these lifesavers and all safety patrols by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

AUTISM AWARENESS

Sunday April 7: Major League Baseball and OriolesREACH are partnering with Autism Speaks to recognize April as National Autism Awareness Month, with the Orioles hosting Autism Awareness Day on Sunday.

In special pre-game ceremonies, Henry Mathias, age 11, from Bel Air, MD will announce "Play Ball!". Mathias is in the 5th grade at Prospect Mill Elementary School. He was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder when he was 3 years old. Henry is the "Hank" of "HANK ROCKS" - one of the top walk teams for Baltimore Walk Now for Autism Speaks.

Jake Williams , age 13, from White Marsh, MD will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Williams attends the Kennedy Krieger School. He is the inspiration for one of the top Baltimore walk teams, "For Jake's Sake". Williams has attended all eight walks - now known as the Baltimore Walk Now for Autism Speaks.

As part of pre-game festivities, students from Chesapeake Bay Middle School and their teacher, Yvonne Embrey, will be honored for their year-round hard work of raising awareness and $20,000 for autism in their hometown of Pasadena, MD. The Orioles will host a pre-game on-field check presentation from Chesapeake Bay Middle School to Susan Pereles of Autism Speaks.

Discounted Upper Reserve tickets are available for purchase at www.orioles.com/tix/autism . $5 of every ticket sold through this website will benefit Autism Speaks. Additionally, fans may be interested in checking out the following on April 7 at Oriole Park:

Quiet Room: Fans looking to get some reprieve for a few innings can go to Suite 73. Families can still watch the game from this area, but in a quieter, climate controlled suite.

Pre-game Ceremonies: Prior to the game, the Orioles will recognize children diagnosed with Autism who have been great ambassadors for autism awareness

Information Booth: For more information on Autism Speaks, stop by the Orioles Community Booth inside of Gate D to learn more about autism, Autism Speaks, and resources in our community

ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM

As part of the Orioles' Military Appreciation Program, presented by GEICO, the Orioles and OriolesREACH donate a catered private suite at each Sunday home game at Oriole Park to servicemen and women. This Sunday, April 7, military members from the USO Metropolitan Washington will enjoy the game vs. the Minnesota Twins from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with JIM JOHNSON and DARREN O'DAY, and receive an Under Armour Player t-shirt.

COMMUNITY BOOTH

During each home game the Orioles provide a community booth for charitable, non-profit organizations to distribute information, sell raffle tickets, register participants or conduct health care screenings for Orioles fans. The following groups will be at the community booth, located near Gate D, during this homestand:

Friday, April 5: KidsPeace

Saturday, April 6: Jacob's Ride

Sunday, April 7: Autism Speaks & Oriole Advocates (Gate E)

ORIOLES REACH GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE

This season, OriolesREACH will again host thousands of underprivileged youth as part of the Gameday Experience Program. Group members receive game tickets, concessions vouchers, an Orioles t-shirt, a cap and transportation to and from the game. Tickets are provided courtesy of Orioles players. Players participating in the program this year include Jake Arrieta, Luis Ayala, Wilson Betemit, Alexi Casilla, Wei-Yin Chen, Jason Hammel, J.J. Hardy, Tommy Hunter, Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Brian Matusz, Nate McLouth, Chris Tillman, Tsuyoshi Wada and Matt Wieters. The following organizations will attend games at Oriole Park during this homestand, courtesy of these Orioles players: